Oxford and Cambridge slip from top university rankings

In a surprising turn of events, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge have fallen to their lowest rankings ever in the UK’s prestigious university list. According to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, Oxford now sits in third place while Cambridge has dropped to fourth. This marks the first time in 31 years that the two elite institutions have not held the top spots.

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has claimed the number one position, thanks to strong graduate employment rates and high student satisfaction scores. LSE made a remarkable leap from fourth place last year, becoming one of three London universities in the top ten. The university is known for its diverse student body, with around 70% of attendees coming from outside the UK.

Professor Larry Kramer, president of LSE, proudly stated, "The world comes here; there is no university on the globe like this one." Helen Davies, editor of the guide, noted that the rankings reflect a "tweaked methodology" that prioritizes graduate prospects and includes sustainability metrics.

This year’s changes come as universities across the UK are facing mounting pressure to increase tuition fees, which have been capped at £9,250 since 2017. The new rankings highlight a significant shift in the landscape of higher education, raising questions about the future of traditional powerhouses like Oxford and Cambridge.

With this shake-up, prospective students may now have new options to consider as they navigate their choices in higher education.